Chris Rodgers, of Whaley Thorns, and Mick Needham caught the selecters’ eyes as part of the Kickboxing Academy team that entered the World Association of Kickboxing Organisations British open tournament in Nottingham.

This event was very heavily attended with hundreds of competitors from all over the UK, including teams from Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Poland.

The whole team did well but Chris and Mick excelled and impressed the referees and judges, resulting in an official invitation to train with the Great Britain squad.

Other team members in attendance were: Courtney Mason, Perrie Mason, Adam Stacey, Cameron Mitchell, Brandon Tucker, James Unwin, Bailey Goodwin and Bevan Goodwin.

Chris has been training with The Kickboxing Academy for just over a year and he has been quickly rising through the ranks along with many other Academy students.

He is aiming to make the Great Britain Squad team that’s scheduled to compete in the European Championships in Portugal later this year.

Chris will be looking for sponsorship to help with travelling and accommodation expenses while training for the Championships and then help with expenses when fighting abroad representing Great Britain.

Anyone interested in showing Chris support can contact his coach Peter Ward on 07815676265.

Mick has an amateur fight record of two fights and two wins.

He has been training with the The Kickboxing Academy for three years and is helping to lead the way forward for their younger members.

Mick has various fight promoters requesting he turns pro this year.

He lives and travels from Sheffield to train at Shirebrook and Bolsover two to three times every week.

“His dedication is an inspiration to us all at the Kickboxing Academy,” said Peter Ward.

Both Mick and Chris brushed shoulders with some of this country’s finest competitors, most of whom are already in the GB squad.

Anyone interested in learning Kickboxing can contact The Kickboxing Academy on 01246 828448 or 07815 676265, or via www.thekickboxingacademy.co.uk.